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Past and present

In intolerant societies, atheists have been persecuted throughout history, and at times, there were very few atheists. Today there is still extreme intolerance or persecution in some places, examples are the Bible belt in the United States and FundamentalistIslamic countries.

In advanced countries with modern education, atheism is becoming more popular fast, and people who’ve learnt the Scientific method see there is no reason to believe religion.

Some European countries, such as Sweden, may have majority population of Atheists or Agnostics.

In the United Kingdom it appears around 1 in 5 people are atheist or agnostic,

In the United States 0.5% are strong atheists according to some surveys while 30 million Americans are Atheists arrording to American Atheists. [1]

Surveys are unreliable as answers depend on how questions are phrased.
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Why is atheism increasing?

All Christians have religious doubts, some struggle with doubt, more sensible people see that doubt is reasonable and become former Christians.

Doubt comes from the Devil! Young children and adults of very low intelligence generally have a "simple childlike faith" that Christians think is good. The problems and irrational features found with Christianity are so extreme that typically between the ages of 10 and 15 Christians see there is something wrong. After that remaining a Christian involves a continual struggle to suppress doubt.

Education standards are rising and the scientific method is being taught more effectively. All this means that believers feel less pressure to suppress doubt and more incentive to investigate reasons for doubt, to follow where the evidence leads. The evidence leads away from belief in any type of Mythology.

Atheist affirmation

You don't need to do anything special to become an atheist or to be an atheist, if you don't believe in God or gods you're already an atheist. Still you may feel like doing something to mark your atheist identity. You can always say to yourself or to friends who respect your atheism something like the following.

I no longer believe in God/I've never believed in God (whichever is appropriate) and I resolve to base my beliefs on what the Scientific method demonstrates is true.

Not all atheists are Humanists but if you personally accept humanism you can make the following affirmation.

I don't believe in God and I resolve to follow the scientific method together with Humanist morality.

All this is of course optional, you can be an atheist and a moral humanist without any formal statement.

Telling your family you're an atheist

If you're from a Christian family and haven't told your family yet please read: